MANILA, Philippines – It is the lowest satisfaction rating received by the administration of President Benigno Aquino III since he was elected in 2010.

Malacañang however, is unnerved, expressing confidence the low numbers are surmountable.

On Monday, August 11 – the same day the Social Weather Stations (SWS) released its June survey results showing a steep decline in the government’s satisfaction rating – Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda brushed off the numbers, insisting the survey is a mere “snapshot” of Aquino’s full term.

“It’s not cast in stone. Every quarter – quarterly survey depends on the landscape when the survey was taken. So is it insurmountable? No, of course not,” he said.

“The objective of this government is to push for programs that will help the country, whether its short-term or long-term concerns.”

Lacierda also said the administration remains “undeterred” by the numbers, and will continue to focus on the work that has yet to be done.

“The government is committed to address all those issues and a survey is, again, always a snapshot in a particular period of time and it varies – as it has been very, very obvious – so we will always be committed and we will be undeterred in performing and committing to serve the Filipino people.”

He also emphasized that even at its lowest point, Aquino’s numbers are still higher than previous presidents at the same point during their terms.

“If you look at the lowest—and presumably this is so far the lowest under this administration—by way of historical context since the start of SWS, it is still considered the highest of the lowest among the other previous administration,” Lacierda said.

The results of the June survey showed an overall net performance rating of +29 for the administration, with 56% of respondents saying they are satisfied, 26% saying they are dissatisfied, and 18% claiming they are undecided.

The net rating was a 16-point drop from the net satisfaction rating of +45 in March. The administration got a +51 in December 2013. Aquino himself registered a “moderate” +25 in the survey conducted in the same period. (READ: Aquino’s ratings drop to lowest since 2010)

DAP to blame?

Lacierda also pointed out that the survey, taken in June, was set against a landscape wherein the government’s controversial Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) was being hotly debated. The Supreme Court has since struck down certain sections of DAP as unconstitutional.

Malacañang believes however, that opinions may have changed since then.

“Certainly, we would like to believe that after coming out with all the explanations and the President’s State of the Nation (Address),” he said.

Senate President Franklin Drilon agreed that “the issue on the DAP which has not been received well by our people” influenced the numbers, as well as the involvement of senators and congressmen in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scandal, which saw lawmakers misuse taxpayers money.

Drilon, a member of the ruling Liberal Party and a staunch Aquino ally, echoed Malacañang’s sentiment that the administration would recover from the low ratings.

“I am confident that the administration will recover from this [ratings slump] and increase the net satisfaction level of this administration,” he said. – Rappler.com